Tennis fans are set for one of the most anticipated matches of this year’s U.S. Open as Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka meet in the fourth round on Monday at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The showdown features two of the sport’s most dynamic stars, with Gauff, the No. 3 seed, taking on Osaka, seeded 23rd, for a place in the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows. Between them, the pair have already lifted three U.S. Open titles.
Gauff, 21, enters the match in strong form after defeating Croatia’s Donna Vekic in the second round. The American has quickly established herself as a top contender, adding a French Open crown this year to her U.S. Open triumph in 2023. Osaka, 27, a four-time Grand Slam champion, is seeking to reclaim the dominance she once held, having previously won the U.S. Open in 2018 and 2020. Both players bring contrasting styles and fierce competitiveness that promise a gripping contest.
The matchup is scheduled as the second match of the day on Arthur Ashe, following the men’s clash between Andrey Rublev and Felix Auger-Aliassime, which begins at 11:30 a.m. EDT. That means Gauff and Osaka could step onto court as early as 1:30 p.m., though delays could push the start to mid or late afternoon. ESPN will broadcast the match live in the United States, with other international broadcasters carrying coverage abroad.
This will be the sixth meeting between the two stars and their second encounter at Flushing Meadows. Their first came in 2019, when a then-15-year-old Gauff lost in straight sets to Osaka before the Japanese star consoled her and invited her to share the moment with the crowd. Since then, Gauff has matured into a formidable rival, winning three of their last four matches to lead their head-to-head series 3-2.
While Osaka’s experience and proven Grand Slam pedigree make her a dangerous opponent, Gauff’s rise has been marked by her resilience and continual improvement, particularly in refining her serve with a new coach. With a quarterfinal spot on the line and history already linking their journeys, Monday’s clash promises to be one of the highlights of the tournament and a defining moment for both champions.
